Venezuela halts communication with US diplomat

Associated PressCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) Venezuela says it has halted communication with a top U.S. diplomat in the South American country in the wake of President Hugo Chavez's death.

Foreign Minister Elias Jaua said Wednesday that "any type of contact has been postponed" with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson, who had reportedly reached out to Venezuela's government before Chavez's death.

Jaua specified, however, that diplomatic and consular relations would remain between the two countries.

Venezuela's government expelled two military attaches earlier this month for allegedly talking to members of the country's armed forces. Washington responded by ejecting two Venezuelan diplomats, who were honored by Jaua Wednesday.